Bio-Inspired Concrete: Learning from Nature to Resist Extreme Weather
Bio-inspired concrete is one of the most advanced, sustainable, and nature-inspired constructions that takes deep inspiration from natural objects, such as human bones, to create a highly durable and weatherproof construction material.
In this blog, we will discuss a complete guide to bio-inspired or eco-friendly ready-mix concrete from definition, how it works, applications, designs, and more.
What is bio-inspired concrete?
Princeton University engineers have recently developed a cement-like material for the construction of various structures. This material is called bio-inspired concrete as it is inspired by the structure of the human bone and shells of abalone, mantis shrimp, and oysters. The primary aim for developing this high-strength cement is to offer more strong, ductile, and self-healing concrete that can be used for building concrete structures. It also aims to offer a sustainable alternative to the traditional concrete.
How does bio-inspired concrete work?
Unlike conventional concrete, bio-inspired concrete uses both organic and inorganic elements. The structure of this concrete is inspired by the human bone’s tough outer layer. The microstructure of dactyl clubs and nacre of bone plays a key role in the development of bio-inspired concrete. Nacre is characterized by periodically stacked platelet-shaped calcium carbonate that helps in fracture resistance. This innovative concrete also contains an extensive toughening mechanism inspired by collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite nanocrystals, making it a durable and eco-friendly filler concrete for bridging cracks. This material is self-healing and can resist damage and withstand load.
Uses of bio-inspired concrete
Princeton University developed bio-inspired cement that can be used in both macro and microstructures. However, its recent popularity is mainly because of its role in effectively filling cracks and gaps. Firstchoice Readymix offers bio-inspired on-demand concrete ready-mix for bridging cracks and creating eco-friendly and bio-inspired structures. It is free from the brittle design of conventional concrete which makes it fracture-proof, flexible, and strong. Innovative techniques such as 3D printing, biometrics, and capsule-based approaches help in the manufacturing of bio-inspired concrete. Following are some of the key uses of bio-inspired concrete:
- Bridging small cracks in large concrete structures.
- Large structures such as buildings can also use this eco-friendly ready-mix concrete.
- It can also be used for creating larger civil infrastructures such as tunnels, roads, and bridges.
Bio-inspired concrete design
The structure of bio-inspired concrete is innovative and unique. Its design is marked by the incorporation of elliptical and cylindrical tubes of bio-inspired materials in cement. This design makes it a less porous and high strength cement. To strengthen the cement-based material, geometric designs are used, unlike traditional concrete which uses fibers and plastic for strengthening concrete. Incorporating geometric designs helps to effectively manipulate the structure of the cement-like material. Numerical frameworks are also used to quantify the degree of disorder in the material and increase overall toughness and fracture resistance.
Conclusion Bio-inspired concrete is a revolutionary innovation in the world of construction. It is a completely eco-friendly and sustainable technique that takes deep inspiration from natural objects to create a weatherproof construction material. Also for bio-inspired on-demand concrete ready mix, you can rely on Firstchoice Readymix.